Support worker

Sense Volunteers; Louth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave + holidays

Matched pension up to 5%

Life assurance policy

Discounts at Sense shops

Cycle to work scheme

Travel season ticket loans

Free DBS check

Training courses including Care Cert.

Wisdom App for mindfulness

Job summary

Sense is looking for caring, enthusiastic support workers for our residential service in Louth, Lincolnshire. We offer two permanent roles: 37.5 hours full-time and 30 hours part-time. Some shifts start early (7am) or finish late (10pm), with every other weekend. Sleep-ins may be paid at £50 per night, and you may need to wake to provide support.

If you live outside Louth, access to your own vehicle is advised due to limited public transport.

Qualifications

• You don\'t need previous experience in a support role; values, willingness to learn and dignity matters.
• Experience supporting disabled people with sensory conditions/complex needs is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support reflecting each person\'s needs and aspirations.
• Help people make informed choices and gain greater daily life control.
• Build meaningful relationships by understanding communication preferences and interests.
• Identify and remove barriers to participation.
• Support people to enjoy interests, relationships and community activities.
• Assist with appointments, activities and travel to preferred outings.

Skills

Compassionate

Good listener

Communication

Team player

Job description

Help break down barriers and support people to live the lives they choose.

At Sense, we believe everyone should have the power, choice and control to live the life they choose. We work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers, drive change and create opportunities for everyone to take part in the things that matter to them.We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed support worker to join our residential service in Louth, Lincolnshire, which is rated Good by CQC.

We have two permanent positions available, one full time at 37.5 hours per week and one part time at 30 hours per week. Early shifts start at 7am and late shifts finish at 10pm, and you’ll work every other weekend. Regular sleep ins may also be included, paid at £50 per night, and you may need to wake to provide support.

Please note: if you live outside of Louth, you will need access to your own vehicle for early and late shifts as public transport in the area is very limited.

About the people you will support

Our service is home to people with sensory loss and learning disabilities, some of whom don’t use speech to communicate and may display behaviours that challenge. Support can include everyday tasks, personal care, managing finances and medication, shopping trips, appointments and social activities, and the role involves a good amount of lone working. Each person has their own personality, interests, ambitions, preferences and support needs.

As a support worker, you’ll take the time to get to know each person, understand what matters to them and work alongside them in ways that respect their choices, support their independence and put them in control of their everyday lives.

Whether it’s enjoying favourite activities, maintaining relationships, exploring new interests or spending time in the local community, you’ll work alongside people to help remove barriers and support them to take part in the things they choose.

What you will be doing

As a support worker, you will:

• Provide person-centred support that reflects each person's individual needs, preferences and aspirations.
• Support people to make informed choices and have greater control over their daily lives.
• Build meaningful relationships, taking time to understand each person's communication preferences, interests and what matters most to them.
• Work alongside people to identify and remove barriers that may prevent them from fully taking part in everyday life.
• Support people to enjoy their interests, maintain relationships, try new experiences and spend time in their communities.
• Support people to get to appointments, take part in activities and enjoy trips and outings of their choice.
• Encourage independence while recognising and respecting each person's individual support needs and decisions.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and others involved in each person's support to promote consistency, dignity and wellbeing.

What we are looking for

You don't need previous experience in a support role to join us. What matters most is your values, your willingness to learn and your commitment to treating people with dignity and respect.

Although previous experience is not essential, experience of supporting disabled people with sensory conditions and complex needs would be beneficial.

We are looking for someone who:

• Believes disabled people should have the same opportunities, choices and control over their lives as everyone else.
• Is compassionate, patient, respectful and a good listener.
• Recognises that everyone communicates differently and is willing to adapt their approach.
• Enjoys getting to know people, understanding their interests and supporting them to do the things they love.
• Can work positively as part of a team and build trusting relationships.
• Is committed to promoting inclusion, independence and person-centred support.

When you join Sense, you'll have access to a range of benefits, including:

• 24 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Matched pension contributions up to 5%.
• Free life assurance policy.
• Cashback and discounts on high street brands, including 10% off at Sense charity shops.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Travel season ticket loans.
• Free DBS check if your role requires one.
• Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training courses, including the Care Certificate.
• Free access to the Wisdom App, supporting mindfulness and wellbeing.

About working at Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role.

We value everyone's contribution and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people are respected, listened to and have opportunities to participate fully.

We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and our belief that every disabled person should be able to take part in life, make choices and be included in their community.